Retailers began bracing for a lean holiday after U.S. shoppers showed uncommon restraint in the face of fat Black Friday deals. Although the number of people looking for gifts during the Thanksgiving weekend ticked up slightly, the average consumer's spending dipped 4 percent, to $407, says the National Retail Federation. Analysts are predicting more sales and pinched profit margins in the next few weeks. Online shopping, however, was brisk.
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